Josephine Cugini

Born Josephine Lombardi in Avellino, Italy, she immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 5 years old, moving to Tompkinsville. She settled in Westerleigh in 1968.

She graduated from Curtis High School and attended New York University, Manhattan.

Mrs. Cugini worked at Lombardi's grocery store, a family owned business in Tompkinsville, for many years, before becoming an accounting clerk at Dean Witter in Manhattan. She retired in 1984.

An excellent cook and baker, she also enjoyed reading and gardening. She was fond of vacationing with her family, and her favorite destination was the Bahamas.

Mrs. Cugini was devout in her faith and had strong moral values, her family said.

They described her as a great lady who was witty and intelligent, and appreciated her candor and selflessness. She was an inspiration to those who knew her and her loving and caring spirit will be deeply missed, they added.

Her husband of 50 years, Vincent (Jimmy) died in 1992.

Surviving are her daughter, JoAnn Cinquemani; her brother, the Rev. Anthony Lombardi; two grandchildrenm and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. in Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church, Westerleigh. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp. The Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, is handling arrangements.